Keepers Of The Keys Of Heaven: A History Of The Papacy
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According to Pope Innocent III, 'Nothing which happens in the world should escape the notice of the supreme pontiff' and for two millennia little has: Since its emergence from the ruins of the Roman Empire, the Papacy has represented the most extraordinary continuation of earthly power from the ancient to the modern world. Founded, according to legend, by Saint Peter who handed down the right to every pope to 'judge all men, and be judged by none', the Papacy has kept its spiritual authority by making worldly alliances, ever since the crowning of Charlemagne, up to Pope Pius XII's clandestine pact with Hitler. For better and worse the Papacy has survived two thousand years of schism, crusades, disgraceful conduct and spiritual questioning. Meanwhile the Papacy converted millions to Rome and the city accumulated the richest display of Western art and architecture, funded by offerings and the rivers of gold from the Spanish conquests which flowed into Holy coffers. By shifting allegiances for centuries, waging war with one hand and levying taxes with the other, the Papacy critically raised the ire of Luther and his followers at the time of the Reformation. With the ferocity of the Inquisition, Rome withstood this as it had done invading Goths and Vandals, the Eastern challenge of Constantinople, the rivalry of Venice and its own murderous and adulterous popes. The papal lands fell to Garibaldi in 1860 and the Italian nation replaced the Papacy's ancient power. In retaliation ever more elaborate ceremony and the figure of an Infallible Pope have revived the Papacy's spiritual authority, only for a capitalist, scientific age to be challenging the Papacy's rejection of personal wealth, euthanasia, abortion and genetics. While the current Pope John Paul II sits on Saint Peter's chair in the Vatican palace in the white robes of every pope, he continues a historical struggle for hearts and minds which the Papacy has been winning, up to now.
Author: Roger Collins
Format: Hardback, 592 pages, 153mm x 234mm, 1000 g
Published: 2009, Orion Publishing Co, United Kingdom
Genre: Christian History & Denominations
Description
According to Pope Innocent III, 'Nothing which happens in the world should escape the notice of the supreme pontiff' and for two millennia little has: Since its emergence from the ruins of the Roman Empire, the Papacy has represented the most extraordinary continuation of earthly power from the ancient to the modern world. Founded, according to legend, by Saint Peter who handed down the right to every pope to 'judge all men, and be judged by none', the Papacy has kept its spiritual authority by making worldly alliances, ever since the crowning of Charlemagne, up to Pope Pius XII's clandestine pact with Hitler. For better and worse the Papacy has survived two thousand years of schism, crusades, disgraceful conduct and spiritual questioning. Meanwhile the Papacy converted millions to Rome and the city accumulated the richest display of Western art and architecture, funded by offerings and the rivers of gold from the Spanish conquests which flowed into Holy coffers. By shifting allegiances for centuries, waging war with one hand and levying taxes with the other, the Papacy critically raised the ire of Luther and his followers at the time of the Reformation. With the ferocity of the Inquisition, Rome withstood this as it had done invading Goths and Vandals, the Eastern challenge of Constantinople, the rivalry of Venice and its own murderous and adulterous popes. The papal lands fell to Garibaldi in 1860 and the Italian nation replaced the Papacy's ancient power. In retaliation ever more elaborate ceremony and the figure of an Infallible Pope have revived the Papacy's spiritual authority, only for a capitalist, scientific age to be challenging the Papacy's rejection of personal wealth, euthanasia, abortion and genetics. While the current Pope John Paul II sits on Saint Peter's chair in the Vatican palace in the white robes of every pope, he continues a historical struggle for hearts and minds which the Papacy has been winning, up to now.
Keepers Of The Keys Of Heaven: A History Of The Papacy